Vietnam Committed to Advancing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Republic of Korea: Tô Lâm

Seoul, The Gulf Observer: Affirming Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralisation, and diversification, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm has reiterated the country’s high regard for its relationship with the Republic of Korea (RoK) and its commitment to further strengthening substantive, effective cooperation in line with their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Speaking in Seoul on Sunday at a meeting with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectual circles, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, the Vietnamese leader expressed his gratitude for the support and contributions made by Korean friendship associations, economic and cultural organisations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs in fostering the Vietnam–RoK relationship.

He highlighted that in recent years, bilateral ties have expanded significantly and recorded encouraging achievements across all fields, positively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond. The two countries have become leading partners in multiple sectors. The visit, he stressed, reflects Vietnam’s determination to enhance political trust, deepen strategic coordination, promote comprehensive cooperation, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

Korean delegates commended Vietnam’s impressive development and welcomed the strengthening of bilateral relations, pledging to continue their support for Vietnam’s growth and to act as a bridge between the two nations.

Chang Ho-ick, Chairman of the Association of People Loving Vietnam in the RoK (VESAMO), noted that his organisation has, over the past 20 years, implemented numerous charitable initiatives, including aid for victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and scholarship programmes for underprivileged students in Vietnam. He affirmed the association’s steadfast commitment to accompanying the Vietnamese people.

Professor and translator Ahn Kyong-hwan expressed pride in his enduring connection with Vietnam, praising its resilience and values. He underscored the country’s achievements since the launch of Đổi mới (Renewal) in 1986, while acknowledging that foreign enterprises still encounter challenges, particularly in administrative procedures. He likened Vietnam’s current institutional reforms to the scale of the historic August Revolution of 1945, expressing confidence in their success.

Lee Shin-jae, Chairman of the RoK–Vietnam Friendship Association, outlined the association’s contributions to bilateral cooperation, including building schools and vocational centres for disadvantaged groups, providing disaster relief, offering scholarships, and fostering economic and scientific collaboration. He emphasised that with friendship and mutual trust, the two nations can jointly overcome any challenge.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn presented Vietnam’s Friendship Order to Chang Ho-ick in recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and the RoK in culture, education, economy, and humanitarian aid.